Dealing with a Pain in the Neck

Neck pain is a very common complaint and with good reason. Our necks contain many pain-sensitive structures which are delicate and constantly exposed to abnormal stress. Among repetitive stress injuries, neck and shoulder pain were among the most common at 25%.1 Risk factors for neck pain include smoking, repetitive work movements, poor posture, long periods of sitting, and poor psychological health.2

Treatment of chronic neck pain has traditionally been handled by a range of pharmaceutical options including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, recent warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that “the risk of heart attack or stroke can occur as early as the first weeks of using an NSAID. The risk may increase with longer use of the NSAID. There is an increased risk of heart failure with NSAID use.”3 These findings have left many patients seeking drug-free options to manage pain.

Evidence is mounting that non-thermal laser therapy at the appropriate wavelengths produces anti-inflammatory effects which contribute to pain relief.4 The specific wavelengths that Theralase uses (660 nm and superpulsed 905 nm) address all three known cellular pathways, which means that when the dosage is properly adjusted it can mitigate all types of chronic pain.

To find more about helping your patients with chronic neck pain, join us on September 24 in Saskatoon for our seminar, Treating Neck Pain with Non-Thermal Laser Therapy. Family physician Dr. Brian Bennett will explore how non-thermal laser therapy can treat neck pain and other musculoskeletal disorders encountered by practitioners of all disciplines. https://theralase.com/seminars/

For patients wanting to find out more about how Theralase non-thermal laser therapy can help, visit www.theralase.com/clinic-locator to find a practitioner near you.

  1. Michael Tjepkema, “Repetitive Stress Injury,” Statistics Canada, Health Reports, Volume 14. No. 4.
  2. Canadian Chiropractic Association. Three tips for managing neck pain. http://www.chiropractic.ca/blog/three-tips-for-managing-neck-pain/
  3. Non-aspirin Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Drug Safety Communication – FDA Strengthens Warning of Increased Chance of Heart Attack or Stroke. (2015). http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm454141.htm
  4. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. (2009). http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2809%2961522-1/abstract